Paintings :

Under the Japanese Maple

To the embarrassment of many of my friends and neighbors, I have this strange habit of peering under Japanese maples. In public places, in parks, even in people's yards, I know no shame.

Lace-leaf Japanese maples are everywhere in the Northwest. The huge majority of my neighbors have them. They take decades to grow, but the old ones are absolutely incredible. Under each tree's umbrella of dappled light is a hidden world. When I look under a Japanese lace-leaf maple, it makes feel very small, like a fairy living inside the moss and twisty branches.

I did this painting after a recent trip to the Portland Japanese Garden - absolute heaven for a Japanese maple peering person! Underneath, the moss just vibrates with life. The frog hides nearby, giving his approval of the health and vitality of the place.